T.H.I.N.K.
by Cynthia Jennings on September 20, 2020I was flipping through the TV one day and I saw a rodeo show. I got ready to change the channel but it was at the point where the cowboy was preparing to lasso the calf. As the calf burst out of the gate, the cowboy with intense focus followed closely in pursuit of the calf. With lasso in hand, the cowboy swings the rope in the air lassos the calf and throws him down to the ground. As I’m watching, a very vivid picture came to mind. This is what we need to do with certain negative words that are running wild in our minds eager to escape the gate (the mouth). We need to lasso, throw them down in the dirt and cover them with the Word of truth to rein them in.
Scripture teaches us to take every thought captive. Once we lasso a thought (take it captive) we can decide which words leave the gate and which ones need to be tied up and secured (bound).
Have you ever thought about how many words you think per minute? How many of those words are negative? And why do the negative words seem to flow out so easily? Well, it goes like this…. First, a thought (the calf) begins in your brain (the stall), then the thought runs across the mind, if not lassoed (captured) those thoughts will eventually burst out the gate (the mouth). Remember the above scenario with the cowboy and calf? Once the calf burst out of the gate the cowboy had to expeditiously “think” about his immediate reaction. The same concept applies to us when those negative thought are in our brain. Within a matter of seconds, we must expeditiously determine if those thoughts are negative and need to be lassoed or if those thoughts are true, helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. (T.H.I.N.K).
Toxic thoughts produce toxic talk. Think about what you’re thinking about. If you are relishing in and stewing on those negative thoughts in your head, then you will spew those toxic negative words from your mouth.
Paul gives us a great plan on how to detoxify our thought: He wrote: “ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
The acronym T.H.I.N.K. gives us a tool to use in considering our words:
Are they true? Are these words reliable? Do they line up with God’s truth? For example, when we speak negatively about someone, we should consider: Do these words fit with God’s view of this person as His image bearer?
Are they honorable? Because I am a child of the King, my words should reflect nobility. Is what I am about to say demonstrating high moral character or ideals? Is it language that exhibits excellent qualities?
Are they just? Are these words virtuous? Are they appropriate, suitable, and reputable? Right words at the wrong time become wrong words. Is this the right time, or do I need to wait for a more appropriate time?
Are they pure? Are these words free from anything that taints, or infects the reputation of another? Are these words tainted by my own sin, or do they reflect the righteousness of Christ that has been given to me?
Are they lovely? Do these words inspire love, affection, or admiration? Are they morally or spiritually attractive or gracious? Do these words depict a picture of beauty or loveliness?
Are they commendable? Do these words inspire others to see excellent qualities in another person? Do the words paint a picture of praise or excellence?
Are they excellent? Do these words reflect goodness, exceptional merit, or virtue? Are they of a high moral nature? Would God rank them as “excellent” if they were spoken?
Are they praiseworthy? Do these words stir a sense of praise or condemnation?
The only way to detoxify our negative thoughts is to put T.H.I.N.K. into practice. Paul gives us the means by which to implement it----" What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
I know sometimes it seems like our thoughts are too much to handle. But if you practice T.H.I.N.K you will begin to develop a new pattern in not only detoxifying negative thoughts but it will become easier to lasso the calf before it gets out the gate.
PEARLStoPONDER: T.H.I.N.K. before you speak! I know there are times when we “feel” what we say is “right” based on the situation. That may be true. But is what you saying in that situation right in your eyes or is it right in God’s eyes?
Philippians: 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Proverbs 21:2: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Scripture teaches us to take every thought captive. Once we lasso a thought (take it captive) we can decide which words leave the gate and which ones need to be tied up and secured (bound).
Have you ever thought about how many words you think per minute? How many of those words are negative? And why do the negative words seem to flow out so easily? Well, it goes like this…. First, a thought (the calf) begins in your brain (the stall), then the thought runs across the mind, if not lassoed (captured) those thoughts will eventually burst out the gate (the mouth). Remember the above scenario with the cowboy and calf? Once the calf burst out of the gate the cowboy had to expeditiously “think” about his immediate reaction. The same concept applies to us when those negative thought are in our brain. Within a matter of seconds, we must expeditiously determine if those thoughts are negative and need to be lassoed or if those thoughts are true, helpful, inspiring, necessary or kind. (T.H.I.N.K).
Toxic thoughts produce toxic talk. Think about what you’re thinking about. If you are relishing in and stewing on those negative thoughts in your head, then you will spew those toxic negative words from your mouth.
Paul gives us a great plan on how to detoxify our thought: He wrote: “ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
The acronym T.H.I.N.K. gives us a tool to use in considering our words:
Are they true? Are these words reliable? Do they line up with God’s truth? For example, when we speak negatively about someone, we should consider: Do these words fit with God’s view of this person as His image bearer?
Are they honorable? Because I am a child of the King, my words should reflect nobility. Is what I am about to say demonstrating high moral character or ideals? Is it language that exhibits excellent qualities?
Are they just? Are these words virtuous? Are they appropriate, suitable, and reputable? Right words at the wrong time become wrong words. Is this the right time, or do I need to wait for a more appropriate time?
Are they pure? Are these words free from anything that taints, or infects the reputation of another? Are these words tainted by my own sin, or do they reflect the righteousness of Christ that has been given to me?
Are they lovely? Do these words inspire love, affection, or admiration? Are they morally or spiritually attractive or gracious? Do these words depict a picture of beauty or loveliness?
Are they commendable? Do these words inspire others to see excellent qualities in another person? Do the words paint a picture of praise or excellence?
Are they excellent? Do these words reflect goodness, exceptional merit, or virtue? Are they of a high moral nature? Would God rank them as “excellent” if they were spoken?
Are they praiseworthy? Do these words stir a sense of praise or condemnation?
The only way to detoxify our negative thoughts is to put T.H.I.N.K. into practice. Paul gives us the means by which to implement it----" What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
I know sometimes it seems like our thoughts are too much to handle. But if you practice T.H.I.N.K you will begin to develop a new pattern in not only detoxifying negative thoughts but it will become easier to lasso the calf before it gets out the gate.
PEARLStoPONDER: T.H.I.N.K. before you speak! I know there are times when we “feel” what we say is “right” based on the situation. That may be true. But is what you saying in that situation right in your eyes or is it right in God’s eyes?
Philippians: 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Proverbs 21:2: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
